OMAHA, Neb.—The final day of the 2008 Cyclone Tailgate Tour was a long, rewarding experience for the tour party of Iowa State coaches and staff that culminated with an event at Digz. The day included a stop at the Omaha Food Bank and the Omaha Children’s Hospital.

The touring party chipped in at the Food Bank, sorting and boxing non-perishable food to be distributed to over 360 agencies throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. The group toured the facility before pitching in, readying food for distribution.

“We have had uptick in the need for food,” said Stephanie Robb, who helps coordinate the distribution of food to the needy. “We really appreciate the work that the Cyclone group did today. Anytime we can get this type of help it is always appreciated.”

The party toured the Children’s Hospital for the second straight year. Cy was perhaps the biggest hit with the patients who also got autographs and pictures with Iowa State basketball coaches Greg McDermott and Bill Fennelly.

The evening’s entertainment had been moved from the Oak View Mall to Digz, at 4428 South 140th St. The grill includes wide open spaced and sand volleyball courts.

“We really appreciated all the individuals who came out to express their support of Cyclones athletics,” Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard said. “We wanted to provide an event that would be low cost, family-friendly and give people a real chance to talk with our coaches and staff one on one.”

One of the featured guests was Omaha native and ISU head volleyball coach Christy Johnson. Johnson has completely turned around the Iowa State program, taking the Cyclones to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament last fall.

The tour dodged some bad weather that threatened to lower attendance at several tour stops. But again, the loyalty of ISU fans overcame those weather obstacles and overcame those challenges and affirmed the vision Pollard had when the athletics director conceived his vision of the tour.